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According to the supervisor's evaluation paper (PDF) the author "started her PH.D. studies in 2017 in the part-time of studies".
Critical reception by the thesis supervisor and the opponents[]
Since the reviews of the supervisor of the doctoral thesis and of the three opponents were also published online, this allows to cite their critical comments and overall evaluations:
- Assoc. prof. Helena Chládková, Ph.D.: Supervisor´s evaluation of the study and dissertation thesis of S[..] A[..], M. Sc. (2020-01-02) (PDF)
- "The aim of the thesis is clearly defined, the methodology correspondents to the stated objective. Used methodology is very suitable. S[..] used relevant scientific resources in the theoretical part of her thesis. Results and findings are interesting, selected methods are used in correct way. The elaborated dissertation proves her good ability to acquire information, including scientific literature, internet and own experience."
- "S[..] is a very diligent and hardworking student. During her studies she published five papers, where she presenters the results of her research."
- doc. Ing. Milan Palát, Ph.D.: Opponent review of dissertation thesis (2020-02-14) (PDF)
- "The dissertation thesis is based on a sufficient literature survey and relevant research data. The literature sources cited in this thesis prove a satisfactory orientation in the given research area. However, the chapter Theoretical foundation often mixes theoretical and practical aspects of the given research area." (p. [1])
- "[...] some headings in presented tables remained in German language." (p. [2])
- "From the formal point of view, the thesis reaches the required level with an exception of low quality charts and tables, small typing errors and some German headings." (p. [2])
- "[...] fulfils elementary requirements on dissertations of a doctoral study programme." (p. [2])
- "The author proved a capability of independent research and the dissertation thesis represents certain contribution to theory, practice and education." (p. [3])
- doc. Ing. Martina Fejfarová, Ph.D.: Reviewers Report (2020-01-24) (PDF)
- "The list of references seems to be made according to the Harvard referencing style but there some mistakes." (p. 1)
- "Although the author has managed to summarize the theoretical background relatively well, I recommend to better deduce the main objective of the dissertation from the theoretical background. The main objective is not clearly defined." (p. 1)
- "There are some typing mistakes and mistakes in used referencing style. All figures and tables should be in the English language." (p. 3)
- "[Conclusion:] The submitted dissertation is processed on a very good professional level. The author demonstrated orientation in the chosen issue and the ability to undertake independent scientific work. The content and scope of the dissertation correspond to the requirements for the dissertation." (p. 4)
- doc. Ing. Lea Kubíčková, PhD.: Opponent Review of Dissertation Thesis (2020-01-20) (PDF)
- "After reading the thesis I honestly cannot say that the author would close scientific gaps, I can see rather practical benefits in the dissertation. [...] Overall, however, it is necessary to say that the aim of the work is not clearly and factually defined and after reading 3 pages of the text, I am not able to clearly determine what the main aim of this work is.
Literature review uses very old resources, the author begins the chapter with citations from 1983 and 1984." (p. [1]) - "To sum it up - literary research contains many sources, many of them are obsolete, some parts of literary research do not have a direct link to the stated goal." (p. [2])
- "Let me comment on the tables in Chapter 5 - it is not good that they are not translated from German when the work is written in English.
In terms of form, I would point out that in this chapter there are plenty of pictures (some of the pictures should have been included in the attachment,) unnecessarily large charts and tables, as well as half-empty pages. In total, 20 half-empty pages do not give me a sufficient range of dissertation results." (p. [2]) - "Formally, I would recommend the author to correct English - the work contains a lot of typing errors and grammatical errors (even in the titles of the chapters, e.g. title of chap. 3.1, as mentioned above)." (p. [3])
- "Although the thesis is from my point of view weak and at a relatively low level, the work meets the main requirements for similar type of work and
I recommend work for the defense
and after successful defense I propose to award academic title Doctor (Ph.D.)." (p. [3])
- "After reading the thesis I honestly cannot say that the author would close scientific gaps, I can see rather practical benefits in the dissertation. [...] Overall, however, it is necessary to say that the aim of the work is not clearly and factually defined and after reading 3 pages of the text, I am not able to clearly determine what the main aim of this work is.
Declaration, Regulations[]
- In the "Statutory declaration" (p. V), the author states:
"Herewith I declare that I have written my final thesis: [...] by myself and all sources and data used are quoted in the list of references." - The "Study and Examination Regulations of Mendel University in Brno" (PDF) valid at the time of submission specify:
- Article 24
Doctoral study program
"(1) Doctoral study programmes are, pursuant to Section 47 of the Act, focused on scientific research and independent creative activity in the fields of research or development or on independent theoretical and creative activity in the arts." - Article 33
State doctoral examinations
"(1) The state doctoral examinations verify the ability and readiness for independent activity in the field of research or development or for independent theoretical and creative activities in the arts." - Article 34
Dissertation
"(1) A dissertation must include original and published results or results received for publication."
- Article 24
- The Czech Republic's "The Higher Education Act" of 22 April 1998 (PDF, current version, published 31 August, 2018) specifies in Section 47c of
The Proceeding at a Public Higher Education Institution concerning Statement of Invalidity of State Examinations or Their Parts or the Thesis Defence:- "(2) The Rector shall express his/her decision of invalidity of the state examinations or their parts or of the thesis defence if the person whose state examinations or their parts or whose thesis defence is concerned:
- [...]
- b) has not met or only apparently met the conditions or requirements presented by the Higher Education Act, the degree programme, and the Study and Examination Regulations for completing the state examination or its parts or the dissertation defence because of an unauthorized usage of another person’s work in gross violation of legal provisions concerning copyright protection 32) or because of another intentional activity not mentioned in a), in case of permanent or repeated violation of good manners or in such a case where the possibility of gaining standard knowledge and skills by participants of the given degree programme was significantly disturbed.
- (3) In case of failing to meet conditions for completion of state examinations or their parts or the dissertation defence in accordance with Paragraphs (2) a) and b), such case is deemed to present an objective state of discontinuity between the actual state of affairs and facts confirmed by the higher education diploma when a higher education diploma has been issued without the recipient having passed the state examinations or its parts or the thesis defence.
- (4) Proceedings for expressing the invalidity are initiated ex officio. It can be initiated by the Rector as well:
- a) at the very latest 3 years after the legal effect of the decision by which a particular person was sentenced for an intentional crime, if the case as per Paragraph (2) a) applies; or
- b) at the very latest 3 years from the date of performing the state examination or apparently performing the state examination or its last part or of the Doctoral thesis defence, if it is the case pursuant to Paragraph (2) b).
- (5) If the Rector has not found any reasons for the statement of invalidity of the thesis defence or its part in accordance with (2), proceedings for the statement of the invalidity shall be discontinued.
- [...] 32) Section 31 of Act No. 121/2000 Coll., as amended."
- "(2) The Rector shall express his/her decision of invalidity of the state examinations or their parts or of the thesis defence if the person whose state examinations or their parts or whose thesis defence is concerned:
- The Declaration on Ensuring Research Integrity at Mendel University Brno dated 23. September 2019 (PDF), signed by the rector, states:
- "Probably the most important period for ensuring the integrity of research occurs during the doctoral studies, when it is necessary to place particular emphasis on the following areas:
- "Probably the most important period for ensuring the integrity of research occurs during the doctoral studies, when it is necessary to place particular emphasis on the following areas:
- • The issue of intellectual property, including the conventions on co-authorship
- • Ethical aspects and the definition of misconduct in research
- • The issue of intellectual property, including the conventions on co-authorship
- If not done previously, it is necessary for the doctoral candidates to become familiar with the standards and guidelines regarding professional conduct, ethics, plagiarism and proper use of citations and be aware of the importance of the explicit recognition of the work of others. It is no less important to record information and data related to research, which shall be carried out in accordance with the best practices in the relevant scientific field.
- If not done previously, it is necessary for the doctoral candidates to become familiar with the standards and guidelines regarding professional conduct, ethics, plagiarism and proper use of citations and be aware of the importance of the explicit recognition of the work of others. It is no less important to record information and data related to research, which shall be carried out in accordance with the best practices in the relevant scientific field.
- Graduates of doctoral programmes must specifically know and apply in their research the principles of ethical conduct of research and the best research practices, including the correct attribution of merit and authorship and avoidance of misconduct in research.
- With regard to the above, we are determined to strengthen our efforts to educate students and employees regarding principles and procedures that underpin the integrity of research." (p. 3)
Papers published during doctoral studies[]
According to the supervisor's evaluation paper (PDF) the author published 5 papers during her doctoral studies, "where she presenters [sic] the results of her research." Two of these were analyzed here:
- Paper published in: Economics World (2019):
- (co-author: Marc Breetzke) Impact of Multiproject Management in Hospital Organizations (PDF), in: Economics World, Vol. 7, Nr. 1 (Jan.-Feb. 2019), pp. 10-16. DOI: 10.17265/2328-7144/2019.01.003.
- Findings: This paper compromises five pages containing main text. The main text consists almost entirely of unacknowledged direct translations of passages from a German dissertation published in 2018 (Harsch 2018). Comparatively small portions of text were translated word-for-word from two other sources originally published in German: 11 lines were translated from a book chapter by Gemuenden et al. (2010). Another 11 lines were translated from a dissertation by Dammer published in 2008. None of these three sources is mentioned in the text or in the list of references.
- Paper published in: Journal of US-China Public Administration (2019):
- Desperation of Demographic Change in the Health Sector in Germany: Necessary Strategy Orientation for Medical Practices in the Countryside (PDF), in: Journal of US-China Public Administration, Vol. 16, Nr. 1 (Jan. 2019), pp. 7-15. DOI: 10.17265/1548-6591/2019.01.002.
- Duplicate publication: Desperation of Demographic Change in the Health Sector in Germany: Necessary Strategy Orientation for Medical Practices in the Countryside (PDF) in: Journal of Business and Economics, ISSN 2155-7950, USA July 2019, Volume 10, No. 7, pp. 667-675 DOI: 10.15341/jbe(2155-7950)/07.10.2019/008 Academic Star Publishing Company, 2019 http://www.academicstar.us
- Findings: This paper compromises 8 pages containing main text. The main text consists almost entirely of unacknowledged direct translations of passages from a German book chapter published in 2013 (Heil 2013). Comparatively small portions of text were translated word-for-word from two other sources originally published in German online. One passage was translated from agentur-jungesherz.de (2017). Two other passages are taken and translated from arbeitgeber.campusjaeger.de (2018) . None of these three sources is mentioned in the text or in the list of references.
- Note: The publishers of those journals Academic Star Publishing Company (Journal of Business and Economics) and David Publishing Company (Economics World; Journal of US-China Public Administration) are on Beall’s list. This is a list of potential predatory publishers created by a librarian Jeffrey Beall. An archived version and more information on Beall's list can be found here.
- For more details see